(VNA) - Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg concluded her official visit to Viet Nam on April 18, during which both sides agreed to further bolster their 40-year ties towards a partnership framework suitable with their prioritised collaboration areas in the future.

During her three-day stay, the Norwegian PM held talks with her Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Tan Dung and had meetings with President Truong Tan Sang and National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung.

Both countries vowed to increase efforts to achieve all Millennium Development Goals, while strengthening cooperation in the framework of the Post-2015 Global Development Agenda.

They will continue expanding bilateral trade and investment affiliation, especially in sea-based economy, maritime and energy. They reaffirmed commitments of the two Governments to work for the early conclusion of negotiations on a free trade agreement between Viet Nam and the European Union.

At the same time, both sides concurred to promote exchanges of delegations at all levels, especially at high level, thus sharing opinions on issues of mutual concern.

The two sides agreed to continue with regular political consultations and human rights dialogues, and coordination in reducing emission from deforestation and forest degradation through the United Nations’ REDD programme in Viet Nam.

Meanwhile, they will strengthen bilateral cooperation at regional and multilateral forums.

Viet Nam and Norway also reaffirmed commitment to respecting and enhancing the role of international law for ensuring peace, stability and prosperity as well as strengthening security, safety and freedom of maritime, aviation and trade, and the fight against piracy and armed robbery at sea in conformity with principles of international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

During her visit, the Norwegian PM paid floral tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at his Mausoleum and laid a wreath at the Fallen Soldiers’ Monument in Hanoi.

She also addressed an international conference on Viet Nam’s achievements in realising Millennium Development Goals, and inspected a number of the UNICEF-funded education and health care projects in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai.